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1994-12-13 FEJlEAlIrn aMmTEE f"EE111'6 DEm13ER 13, 1994 rALL f"EE111'6 10 lRlER PRESENT : PPRJVE MIN.JTES: f'lMM3ER 9, 1994 aJR:CTIO\lS : PPPRJv'ED : ~: SEcrNE:l: 1. Letter fron Michael Gillespie, of Barger Day & Oswald Pe: Lee Knolls (A.K.A. Paul HJnt) 2. Letter fron Olarles J. Harrison Pe: Transpartati.cn 3. Jlwroval fron ~PPinJer Jr. High for AerdJics 4. ~y of Letter addressed to Sl.pervisor Snith - Pe: $2O,cm. award for Castle Rlint fron recaptured furds 5. Letter fron ~inJer Jr. High - Pe: cancel Basketball prograll en 2/1/95 FHUITS / K.D. B.R. J.G. J.E. R.F. B.G. E.K. S.M. R.J.H. NEW BJSlNESS - OLD BJS]}.ESS - Evergreen Estates A.K.A. Lands of ~ ~ PD...n.R\ED taT MEEl11'I; RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 13, 1994 NEXT MEETING JANUARY 10, 1995 The regular meeting of the Town of Wappinger Recreation Committee was held December 13, 1994 at Schlathaus Park, All Angels Hill Road, Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County, New York. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Ralph J. Holt. Others present were Kathi Delisa, Senior Citizen Director, Bernie Reimer, Recreation Director and Committee Members Joseph Ennesser, Ronald Friedman, Barbara Gutzler, Ellen Korz, and Stephen Miller, James Chappas arrived at 8;40. The minutes of the November 9, 1994 meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Ennesser seconded by Mr. Friedman with all in favor. CORRESPONDENCE A letter was received from Michael E. Gillespie, of Barger, Day & Oswald regarding the lee Knolls (a.k.a. Paul Hunt) Subdivision Phases 2 & 3. After reviewing the map the Committee suggested that the Town take the money since the expense to put the land into useable condition is too high and it was also noted that we already have the Noto and Rymer dedication in that area. A letter was received from Charles H. Harrison, Supervisor of Trans- portation with the mileage for the summer recreation runs for 1994. Mr. Reimer noted that page 1 and 2 of the school bus bill was missing and that he noted a couple of discrepancies. He is following up on this matter with the School Transportation Dept. Approval was received from the Wappinger Jr. High to hold the Aerobic program at their facility using the cafeteria starting in January. At this point Mr. Reimer doesn't know if the majority of the participants want to move. He will be following up on this. A copy of a letter addressed to Supervisor Smith from Elizabeth Doyle Community development Administrator was forwarded to us for our information. The letter states that the town has been awarded $20,000. from the recaptured Community Development Funds for the Castle POint Recreation Facility Handicapped Accessible Project. A letter was received from Wappinger Jr. High stating that it is necessary to cancel the basketball program on February l~t~ DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Reimer noted that we have a tentative date of April 28th for the West POint Concert Band. We are still waiting for written confirmation. He also noted that they may require $250. fOD'transportation. Recreation Minutes Page 2 December 13, 1994 SENIOR CITIZEN REPORT Mrs. Delisa handed out a report on the Senior activities for the month of November. This report is attached to these minutes. ROBINSON lANE Mr. Ennesser noted that the metal protective piece for the roof at Robinson lane has been picked up and is stored at the barn. It will be installed in the Spring. Mr. Friedman noted that the new soil is spread on the 1 big field and one of the smaller fields. SIGNS Mr. Ennesser noted that the NO Trespassing Signs have been picked up and are also at the barn. Mr. Ennesser will check to see if they have been put up at Martz, Spook Hill and Castle Point. CHRISTMAS PARTY The Christmas Party (Townwide on December 4th) was excellent. The Evergreen Chorus was great although it was suggested that if they come back next year that we get a better audio for them. We probably had the biggest crowd ever and the weather was certainly a plus. We went through all the hot chocolate, cider, and donuts. little league went through 250+ bags of popcorn and soccer gave out safety lollipops. We thank them both for their part in the program. From every stand point it went well. CHELSEA BOAT RAMP A proposal has been submitted to the Town Board for the Chelsea Boat Ramp and we have been told that the Town will be sending in an application for Community Development Funding for this project. AIRPORT PARK The plans are still in the hands of the Town Engineer. Mr. Holt noted that we have approximately $4,800 which was encumbered in 1994 and we are not able to encumber it again in 1995. We have to install the fence or loose the funds which belong to the Town. $3,000. of these funds belong to soccer and the balance is from the recreation budget. Mr. Paggi indicated to Mr. Holt that he has the fields and parking areas mapped out and that he didn't think it feasible to put in the fence parallel to the road because the grading would change. Mr. Holt questioned Mr. Paggi Recreation Minutes Page 3 December 13, 1994 about putting on the wings and was told that he would get back to him about this. Mr. Friedman questioned whether we could just purchase the fencing and have it stored until Spring when it would be installed. That would be another option we could explore. SPOOK HILL Supervisor Smith mentioned to Mr. Holt something about a paint that you can put on a building that can be washed. She also indicated that this paint is quite expensive but that the Town Board would like to purchase some to be tried out at Spook Hill. The Town Board also voted to spend some money to light up Spook Hill Park. Supervisor Smith has requested that we get some estimates for the project and emphasized that we want lights that are neighbor friendly. We would like to get estimates to light the building and also the handball court. Mr. Miller was asked to look into this. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Mr. Holt noted the following: 1. The batting cages proposed for Robinson Lane have been approved by the Town Board. 2. At budget time, the Town blessed in the budget (from Parkland) the purchase of a new dump truck, something more powerful than the present one. Mr. Vorndran did some work on this before he left and we are now asking Mr. Tompkins to follow up on the information so we can get the truck before next summer. We still need to look into the State Bids. 3. We will be doing some painting inside the barn during the winter and the guys will be sharpening and overhauling the equipment and tools. 4. The fence in the back of the Castle Point Park has been repaired a couple of times this year and there is another hole in it. Mr. Tompkins noted that the kids have been in the park doing "wheelies" an:! tearing up the field. We need to have the signs put up and a letter will be given to all residents regarding the holes in the fence and the destruction of the park. These letters will be put in all the mailboxes in the area. Mr. Tompkins will also weld some metal bars on the fence as soon as he can get the truck back there. 5. As far as a go on it. We have been have anything in writing. do anything there. the third field at Castle POint, we still do not have told verbally that everything is in order but we do not Until we get something in writing, we are not able to Rec:reatia1 Mirutes Page 4 December 13, 1994 6. The water at Schlathaus Park is terrible and in 1995 we will have to fix it in some way where it is at least drinkable. EVERGREEN ESTATES (METZGER SUBDIVISION) The Recreation Committee reviewed the above subdivision and noted that our request for land is still our primary objective. We would still like lots 8, 9 and 10.. If this is not acceptable, we would be happy to discuss land alternatives. It was noted that the acceptance of money in lieu of land would be ou r last choice. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Miller seconded by Mr. Ennesser. Kathi DeLisa Acting Secretary Peggy Roe, Secretary DECEMBER 1994 REPORT TO THE RECREATION COMMISSION FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER November activities at the Senior Citizen Center included the regular schedule of arts/crafts, oil painting, exercise, line dancing, photo club, videos, bingo, puzzles, cards and games. The Center was closed Election Day, Veteran's Day and two days at Thanksgiving. The seniors had their Thanksgiving luncheon on the 16th at Mamma Marissa's. All had a great time, the food was excellent and the owner Umberto provided a piano player to entertain us. The Office of the Aging held a Forum at the Center on Nov. 10 to get input from seniors on housing, Medicare, health reform and other issues in preparation for a State Conference on Aging followed by a National Conference on Aging. The senior's input was excellent. It was suggested that local lawmakers such as our Town Board, or our County Legislators set a time to speak to the seniors in regard to their concerns and/or suggestions. Local lawmakers can have a more immediate impact on providing programs, transportation, housing, as well as cost containment for seniors and for the local government. The Heart Assoc. provided blood pressure screening on the 9th. The Dutchess Co. Dept. of Health provided a Flu Clinic on the 18th. Our birthday party was held on the 30th. Our last Town sponsored trip for seniors was Woodloch Pines, PA. Another great success. Peggy and I are now working on trip ideas and prices for next year. Mr. Joe Hanafee, a teacher at Dutchess Community College asked me to come speak to his class on Recreation Leadership on Nov. 30. And I did. The purpose was to inform the class of the different aspects of Community Recreation and more specifically to speak on the Senior Center. Attached to this report is a brief outline of my presentation and and article I included on Recreation Programs Helping Prevent Crime. In conclusion, I invited the students to get first hand experience and request their field placement to be at the Senior Center. There are 200 seniors registered at the Center and 150 on the waiting list. ITEMS TO BE NOTED: 1. Plans for the Senior Christmas Party at the Elks Lodge are complete. A full report next month on the party. 2. Dec. activities include Party! Party! Party!. The Center Christmas party will be held at Villa Borghese on the 9th., and the Elks Lodge party, on the 13th. The seniors are invited to breakfast at Myers Corners School on the 14th, and on the 21st, we will have a Christmas Breakfast/Brunch and Christmas Grab Bag. 3. A student from Keuka College will be doing her field placement with us in January. 4. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! RECREATION LEADERSHIP INTRO: KATHI:TOW SENIOR CENTER COMMUNITY RECREATION IN GENERAL: PURPOSE: To provide and/or support recreational activities for the Community. BENEFITS: Health, social, psychological, economical & environmental. Example. An article in "THE VOICE", a rec. trade magazine, reports on how Rec Programs help prevent crime: (Hand out article). 1. RECREATION COMMISSION: appointed by the TOW Town Board. Manages & oversees the recreational programs & related issues 2 MAINTENANCE: Responsible for Park upkeep such as grass cutting, fencing, building maintenance, plumbing and general repairs of rec. facilities. Also responsible for equipment upkeep such as tractors, trucks, etc. 3. SUMMER PROGRAMS: TOW Rec. provides a 7 week summer day camp program for approx. 650 children living in the Town. We have 26 counselors and 6 Directors. Rules and regulations are governed under the Board of Health. 4. CONCERTS: Recreation provides 7 Free Outdoor Concerts in the summers. Plus a special Concert in the spring featuring the West Point Concert Band or Jazz Ensemble. 5. SPECIAL PROGRAMS: aerobics, volleyball, basketball, etc. Recreation assists and gives some direction to the popular Soccer League & Little Leagues. 6. Senior Citizen Center: of which I am Director. MY DUTIES: Overall management of the recreational program for senior citizens for the TOW. 1. Create objectives and goals for a comprehensive rec program for seniors. 2. Conduct continuous studies and create concepts to improve the quality of rec services for older adults. 3. Oversee daily operations of rec. program 4. Develop program strategies relevant to the client population 5. Coordinate, train and supervise the work of other rec workers, volunteers & other staff members. 6. Oversee the safety of the seniors and the Center, equipment & to establish safety rules. Note: also have taken First Aid and CPR to enable me to handle emergency situations if they occur. 7. Work with other organizations and government agencies to enhance the rec. needs of the older adult & to improve the quality of rec services to them. 8. Monitor relevant legislation and disseminate this to seniors and appropriate staff. 9. Examine the underlying philosophies, behavioral implications and professional practices essential to the delivery of effective & efficient rec programs and services for the older adult. 10. A resource linking seniors with available services. 11. Prepare the portion of the municipal budget relevant to the senior center & to maintain costs within this budget. 12. Prepare monthly & annual reports to be presented to the Rec. Commission. 13 Most important: Plan & implement a rec program appropriate for the senior citizens being served. The program is designed to help older adults remain healthy & active, to maintain their vitality, to learn new skills & to enjoy themselves. Ex: of monthly programs to hand out. QUESTIONS AND ANSWER PERIOD: THE END! . , Parks and Recreation Programs Help Prevent Crime By Jeff Fletcher Crime drops when adequate parks and recreation opportunities are available in in- ner-city neighborhoods. But today, many of the nation's programs are in financial crisis and ill-equipped for the important crime prevention role. So concludes a report released in June by the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserv- ing land for people. The study, "Healing America's City: Why We Must Invest in Urban Parks," pro- vides concrete evidence showing how juve- nile crime can fall, sometimes dramatically, when local recreation and parks programs have enough money to operate effectively. But during the past decade, local parks and recreation departments have been hit with a devastating triple-whammy; declin- ing federal funds for parks, uneven distribu- tion of those funds (only 16 percent to cen- tral cities), and tight municipal budgets that put the squeeze on local programs and per- sonnel. These factors have pushed may local parks and recreation programs into a death spiral. With shortages of money and staff, fewer workers do less maintenance, and recreational facilities deteriorate and become unattractive to residents. Eventually, disuse leads to closure. The TPL report paints a bittersweet pic- ture: city parks and recreation programs keep kids out of trouble, but the programs themselves are in deep trouble. To improve that picture, last week TPL also announced it was launching a multi- million dollar "Green Cities Initiative" de- signed to expand parks and open space in America's Cities. Recreational Opportunities Cut Crime "Healing America's Cities" shows that when young people have something positive to do, and somewhere to do it,juvenile crime drops. For years, municipal officials have said the same thing. That's why groups like the National League of Cities and the U.S. Con- ference of Mayors support increased fund- ing for parks programs and provisions in the omnibus crime bill pending in Congress that would allow crime prevention funds to be used for urban recreation programs. Violent crime among young people con- tinues to rise, despite increased police hir- ing. According to Justice Department esti- mates, it costs $29,000 to keep one teenager in detention for a year. The U.S. spent $2.3 billion on juvenile incarceration in 1993. Compared to that cost, local recreation pro- grams are a bargain. NSLC President Sharpe James, mayor of Newark, N.J. says, "We are going to incarcerate. The choice is ours. We cannot afford to put a cop on every corner and we can't build a jail cell for every youth of- fender, so why do we continue to believe that the answer is strictly law enforcement? We must provide viable alternatives for our young people. We should be able to tell them where to go and what to do." Members of Congress are starting to agree, "Urban recreation and sports pro- grams are a proven common sense and cost effective means of preventing crime and delinquency," says Congressman Bruce Vento (D-Minn.). Recreation isn't just fun and games, points out Charles Jordan, parks director of Portland, Ore. "We've been building high self-esteem in dealing with social harmony, conflict resolution, well ness, appreciation for education, and juvenile delinquency for years," he says. The Funding Problem Most open space acquisition money comes from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (L WCF). Financed by offshore oil and gas royalties, less than one- third of this fund has been spent on its intended purpose during the past decade. Appropriations have averaged $25 million available for state and local projects last year, even though local requests totaled $400 million. Only a small portion of L WCF funds reach inner cities. More than 80 percent of L WCF money is spent in suburbs and rural areas; less than 16 in central cities, and less still in underserved neighborhoods, accord- ing to the TPL report. To address these inequities and provide funds directly to distressed urban areas, the federal Urban Park and Recovery (UP ARR) program was established in 1978. Congress planned UP ARR allocations of$1 00 million annually, but the program recei ved no money at tall from 1985 to 1990. UPARR fundin!! is only $5 million this year. - Low L WCF and UP ARR appropriations levels have created a high backlog of unmer needs - $3 billion worth in land acquisition alone, according to the TPL study. Parks experts point out that parkland not acquired today will cost more tomorrow, if the land wasn't already becoming a shopping center. subdivision, or office building. Tight city financial conditions exacer- bate these problems. Less city general fund money is available today to match federal dollars or fund local park acquisition, main- tenance, and recreation programs. Shon- falls are most acute in older central cities, but newer sunbelt communities are also having a hard time protecting open space and keep- ing up with the fast-growing demand for recreational services. These financial problems create omi- nous inequities. The neighborhoods most in need have the fewest parks and recreation facilities and experience the most difficulty maintaining those that they have. The youth most dependent on public recreation ser- vices are the least likely to have access to those services. The TPL report shows a U.S. socier:>' increasingly composed of parks and recre- ation "haves" and "have-nots" - separate and unequal. The lack of resources for inner-.:ity parks and recreation is distressing because the liLL between urban open space and healthy com- munities has been documented for sever-d decades. In study after study - stalling wir::: the Watts riots of 1965 up to reports issue: after the Los Angeles violence of 1992 . Continued on page 30... Tl." Voice Zf ...Help Prevent Crime ...continued from page 29 inadequate park and recreation facilities was cited as a primary concern of inner-city residents. How Recreation Programs Cut Crime . In Philadelphia, after police helped neighborhood volunteers clean up vacant lots and plant gardens, crime in the precinct dropped 90 percent. . During the summer, when phoenix basketball courts and other recreation facili- ties are kept open until 2 a.m., police calls reporting juvenile crime drop by as much as 55 percent. Compared to other crime fight- ing measures, midnight recreation is a bar- gain. With over 170,000 participants in Phoenix, the cost is sixty cents per youth. . The Fort Myers, Florida, police re- port that juvenile arrests have dropped by nearly one-third since the city began the STARS (Success Through Academics and Recreational Support) program in 1990. Young people's grades also have improved significantly. Says Mayor Wilbur Smith, "In my judg- ment, using recreation and academic sup- port is the best, most cost effective and the most responsible position to take in the very complex search for solutions to juvenile crime." . Since Project HYDRA (Hart Youth Development Resource Association) in Hart County, Ga. began putting first offenders into a recreation and mentor program, juve- nile complaint calls fell by 14 percent. . Once a magnet for vandalism and other crimes, a formerly abandoned recre- ation center in Newark, New Jersey is now used by 5,000 young people monthly, and crime in the area has decreased. Hundreds of inner city children are learn- ing to ice skate, and midnight basketball is available in the summer when criminal ac- tivity usually escalates. Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Nation 's Cities Weekly, June 13, 1994 and was reprinted with permission by the National League of Cities. 30 Fall 1994 . ' Integrated Modules Recreation Tracking System Recreation and Parks Software . Activity Registration . Facility Reservation/ Scheduling/Rentals . Pass Management . Accident Reporting . Sports/League Scheduling . POS Cash Register/ Inventory/Rentals Excel in managerial operations .deliver services faster. increase productivity. while pro- viding precise financial control and reporting. Once you've tried RecTracl, you'll wonder how you managed Without It . GoIfTrocl Golf POS Tracking System . FlnTtOCl Financial Management TraCking System - Operat.. In DOS. WINDOWS, OS/2. LAN. UNIX, CTOS, VMS, . OS/_ - Purchase Of lease WIth purchase option creclit for payments mode . Uve Demo Available. $25 Support and Training . Extensive Enhancements . Fast Response . Unlimited 800 Phone Support . Software Updates . On-site & Other Installation and Training Options (800)377-7427 r~=E:~1~~~~~~~=~ ['111 35 Years Experlence Providing Government Solutions - Circle J08 011 the Mail-in Card - BILLS PAID DURING DECEMBER 1994 A-1620 .44 CENTRAL HUDSON GAS & ELECTRIC Robinson Lane 7690-0760.00 631.41 Robinson Lane Scoreboard 7371-1305-00 14.59 Spook Hill 7810-1572-84 13.26 Myers Corners & All Angels 7802-1962-00 13.70 Stage 7802-1960-00 13.26 Gazebo 7512-0470-00 13.26 Long Court 7851-1550-00 13.26 Montfort Road-Barn 7964-1460-00 182.24 Regency Drive-Rockingham 7902-1435-00 75.81 A-1620.41 NYNEX Spook Hill 297-9861 5.67 Martz Field 297-9928 4.40 Barn-Montfort Road 297-3692 35.40 Quiet Acres 297-7780 4.32 Schlathaus Park 297-4752 25.69 SYLVAN LAKE TELEPONE CO. Robinson Lane 227-9434 21.06 A-7110.4 A-7140.4 Sherwin Williams B. & H. Tire Service A-1 Fence Company Chelsea Door Company Kimberly Auto Parts Premier Fastener Company Sherwin Williams Brighton Steel Grossman's Hudson Auto & Industrial Fasteners Southern Industrial Sand, Inc. 10.05 65.00 255.36 230.00 60.53 37.46 67.45 284.85 38.43 46.66 5,005.00 Southern Dutchess News Aristocrat Tours, Inc. Anaconda Kaye Southern Dutchess News Aristocrat Tours Taylor Rental Passon's Sports Petty Cash 204.75 550.00 325.00 204.75 550.00 33.00 120.00 56.83 Bills Paid December 1994 Page 2 A-7620.4 B-7310 .4 A-7110.2 A-7110.4 A-7620.4 A-1620.40 Petty Cash Petty Cash Hobby Hut Irving Ness Co. Jamesway Jamesway Coffee System of Hudson Valley Hobby Hut 61.30 35.19 172.99 2B.BO 27.93 36.25 52.00 131. 37 Wappinger Central School The Evergreen Chorus Meadowbrook Farms Meadowbrook Farms Karen Swanson Irving Ness Co. Budds Party Tents Barbara Gutzler 4,000.00 200.00 267.00 219.00 45.00 32.40 70.00 110 . 34 PAYABLES FOR 1994 A-l Fence Company 4,885.00 Dan Zag-Royal Auto Parts Bottini Fuel Bottini Fuel W. W. Smith Welding Supplies 6.50 87.96 66.35 18.90 Petty Cash Coffee System of Hudson Valley 61. 30 52.00 Central Hudson Gas & Electric Schlathaus Park All Angels Hill Road Tennis Courts 62.19 115.55 32.98